Madrid is one of my favourite cities and one of the best things about the Spanish capital is the food. From bustling neighbourhood taverns to cosy wine bars, there’s no shortage of places to enjoy a few tapas and a drink.
To save you the hard work – you’re welcome! – we spent our trip eating our way around the city to find the tapas bars we’d happily return to again and again. Whether you’re planning to tackle them all in one evening or spread them over a few days like we did, here’s our favourite Madrid tapas crawl.
All six tapas bars are within easy walking distance of each other, on or around Cava Baja, making it easy to recreate this tapas crawl for yourself. Save the map below for your trip!
On this tapas crawl you’ll visit:
- El Mini Bar – For creative tapas and quirky décor
- Casa Revuelta – For Madrid’s iconic fried cod
- Taberna La Concha – For vermouth and classic tapas
- La Perejila – For vintage charm and comforting tapas
- Casa Lucas – For inventive tapas
- Taberna Tempranillo – For Spanish wines
El MiniBar
For creative tapas and quirky decor
This cosy little bar serves tapas that are just as eclectic as the décor. The tables are topped with Perspex and filled with old receipts and handwritten notes from previous diners, giving the place a fun, quirky feel.
We arrive early and just manage to grab a table but it doesn’t stay quiet for long. This place is incredibly popular and fills up fast, so I’d definitely recommend booking ahead if you can.
We order the crispy boar rolls with portobello mushroom sauce and the house speciality – grilled goat’s cheese with tomato jam and coriander oil. It is an unforgettable combination of sweet, savoury and creamy flavours and without a doubt one of our favourite dishes of the whole trip.
Casa Revuelta
For Madrid’s iconic fried cod
Just off Plaza Mayor, Casa Revuelta is a Madrid institution, famous for its bacalao rebozado (battered salt cod) which many locals and visitors consider to be the best in the city. It’s the house speciality and because they’re constantly frying fresh batches, it’s always served piping hot.
The bar itself is wonderfully no-frills – standing room only, a Spanish blackboard menu and bullfighting on the TV. It’s exactly the sort of place you’d probably walk straight past if you didn’t know about it but that’s all part of its charm.
A portion of the famous battered cod and a small draught beer (caña) will set you back around €7, which feels like incredible value. In for a penny, in for a pound (or should that be euro?), we can’t resist trying the croquetas too. They arrive piping hot with gloriously creamy centres and are every bit as delicious as the cod.
Taberna La Concha
For vermouth and classic tapas
This classic Madrid tavern is famous for its vermouth and is well worth a stop on any tapas crawl . While you’re deciding what tapas to order, treat yourself to a Manuela – the house cocktail named after the owner’s daughter. Made with house-made vermouth, served over ice, spritzed with gin and topped with Campari, it’s absolutely delicious!
The tapas menu is written up on a board and there’s something for everyone. We order the homemade meatballs in rich tomato sauce and the smoked cod on toast. Both are spot on and excuse the pun… really raise the bar.
La Perejila
For vintage charm and tradtional tapas
La Perejila is a cosy little spot serving classic tapas, hearty mains and a great selection of drinks in a compact space packed full of vintage charm. The eclectic décor is a feast for the eyes with quirky treasures and hidden details everywhere you look. To be honest, it’s worth visiting for the décor alone, but thankfully the food is just as memorable.
We order the Lunares (chorizo cooked in white wine), the Perejilas (the house meatballs) and the Peineta (an empanada), washing it all down with glasses of vermouth and Tinto de verano (red wine and lemonade) – my new favourite drink! It is classic Madrid comfort food at its very best.
Before you leave, don’t miss the vintage shop next door. It’s a real Aladdin’s cave, packed with everything from clothes and jewellery to quirky homewares, knick-knacks and unique gifts. Even if you’re not planning to buy anything, it’s well worth a browse.
Casa Lucas
For inventive tapas
Small but perfectly formed, Casa Lucas combines exposed brick walls, colourful artwork and some seriously good tapas. We arrive just as the doors open and are lucky to grab a couple of seats at the bar. Within minutes the place is packed, so I’d definitely recommend booking ahead if you don’t want to miss out.
The menu puts a creative twist on classic tapas. We love the tuna tataki – sashimi-style tuna served with spring onion, soy sauce and mashed apple – while the duck foie with port sauce and caramelised fruit is a real standout and one of the highlights of our Madrid food adventure. With its relaxed atmosphere, friendly service and inventive menu, it’s easy to see why Casa Lucas is so popular. This is one tapas bar we’d happily return to again and again.
Taberna Tempranillo
For Spanish wine lovers
If wine is your thing, you’ll love El Tempranillo. This stylish wine bar has an impressive selection of bottles from almost every wine-producing region in Spain, all stacked floor to ceiling in a chic but cosy space with exposed stone walls, rustic beams and towering wine racks.
It’s not just the wine list that’s impressive. The tapas are every bit as tempting with plenty of dishes to pair perfectly with your chosen tipple.
We opt for the garlic prawns along with a couple of pinchos and I’m pleased to report that the food is every bit as good as the wine. Simple, flavour-packed dishes, excellent wines and a relaxed atmosphere make this a bar well worth adding to your Madrid tapas crawl. We enjoy it so much, we go back for a second visit before we fly home.
Tips For Your Madrid Tapas Crawl
Ready to retrace our steps? Here are a few tips to help you make the most of your own Madrid tapas crawl. You can tackle it all in one go if you’ve got the stamina or spread it over a few days like we did.
- Go hungry. It’s tempting to order everything that catches your eye, but you’ll enjoy the crawl much more if you stick to one or two dishes at each stop. Trust me, you’ll thank yourself by the final bar!
- Ask for the house speciality. Every bar has a signature dish and it’s usually famous for a reason. If you’re not sure what to order, just ask.
- Book ahead where you can. Some of the smaller bars fill up quickly, especially in the evening. A reservation means you can relax and enjoy the crawl without hunting for a table.
- Don’t over-plan it. Leave time to linger over a glass of wine or vermouth if you’re having a good time. Some of our favourite moments were the ones we hadn’t planned.
- Mix up your drinks. Madrid isn’t just about beer. Try a glass of vermouth, a local wine or a caña (a small draught beer) depending on the bar.
- Share everything. Tapas are made for sharing, so order a few dishes for the table. You’ll get to try far more of the menu.
- Start early. We found arriving when places opened gave us the best chance of getting a table, especially at the smaller bars.
- Wear comfortable shoes. The bars are close enough to walk between, and wandering the streets between stops is all part of the fun.
Whether you’re a vermouth lover, a wine enthusiast or just someone who enjoys good food, this tapas crawl is a fabulous way to experience Madrid. Cheers!
Now tell me, if you could only visit one of these tapas bars, which would you choose? Do you have a favourite Madrid bar or restaurant that I should try next time?
